Staurakios

Born in the early 790s to Nikephoros I, Staurakios became co-emperor on 25 December 803 after his father seized the throne from Empress Irene. In 807 a bride show selected Theophano of Athens as his wife. Four years later he marched with his father into Bulgaria; the campaign reached Pliska and broke a relief force, but Khan Krum trapped the Byzantine army in a valley and destroyed it on 26 July 811, killing Nikephoros. Staurakios was carried back to Constantinople with his spine severed and declared emperor despite the wound. The question of succession consumed his short reign. On 2 October 8…